A gentle meander through the New Forest that will keep the kids endlessly entertained. The route is mainly flat, so there will be no cause for complaint, except perhaps on the climb up to Acres Down, but the views from the top should stop any whingers in their tracks. The stunning setting, combined with the selection of wildlife en route, makes this a perfect family outing.

Why it's so special

The New Forest Reptile Centre sits on this trail, where you can see all six of the indigenous species of snake and lizard found in Britain.

Keep your eyes peeled for

Birds and butterflies - why not print out pictures of all the varieties found in the area and get the kids to spot them? Look out for great-spotted and lesser-spotted woodpeckers in woodland. If you're lucky, you might see a kingfisher. From spring, the butterflies come out in force; you may find holly blues, orange tips and speckled woods, while in summer you're likely to spy the silver-washed fritillary and red admirals.

By car From Lyndhurst, take the A35 signed to Christchurch. Turn right at the White Swan pub. You will shortly cross a cattle grid; turn left immediately into the Swan Forestry Commission car park.

By bus Lyndhurst can be accessed by the 56 and 56A buses from Southampton. The X34 and X35, from Southampton to Bournemouth, each take one hour.

Step-by-step guideWalk ID 2447

1-2. From the car park, look for the barrier and pass through it to the cricket pitch. Walk straight ahead with the pavilion on your right. At the far side of the field, turn left, staying in the same field, with a ditch on your right. Carry on until you almost reach the main road.

3-4. Turn right on to a broad track. Step over the ditch and continue straight on for 1.4km. Look for a garden wall on the left, walk alongside it for 50m, then look for a smaller track on the right.

5. Take this right fork, cross a grassy track and head uphill on the wide track. Go straight over at a track roundabout, descend and cross a wooden bridge. Walk to the wooden barrier ahead.

6. Pass through barrier and turn right. Walk past the Reptile Centre car park, through the gate by the cattle grid and turn right through the Reptile Centre. Follow the track straight ahead marked "Reptile Trail". Continue on the track until a triangle of tracks. Keep to the right of the triangle.

7-8. At the end of the triangle, bear right and you will arrive at a gate by the road. Go through gate and turn right. Pass the Portuguese fireplace.

9-10. Turn left at Millyford car park and keep to the left-hand side. Pass through a barrier and walk along a wide track. Cross river-bridge. Take a right fork after 50m and walk uphill.

11. Continue straight to a clearing. From here, continue, taking path slightly off to the right. At the top of the hill, you will reach a junction with another track.

12-13. Fork left, go straight ahead and enter woodland. Look for the turning (right), marked by a short post on your left. Turn right. Walk with trees on your left, the hill on your right, until a pond. Past the pond is a junction with a track.

14-15. Fork right along track, continue past some houses until you go through a wooden barrier. Carry on until a road. Turn right, pass the New Forest Inn and take the main route, signed Lyndhurst/Swan Green, back to the car park.